Devices and methods for extracorporeal conditioning of blood

Abstract

The disclosure relates to devices and methods for extracorporeal conditioning of blood. Extracorporeal blood oxygenators and blood oxygenator components, such as conditioning modules, are described. An extracorporeal blood oxygenator includes a conditioning module having an external frame, an inlet cover, an outlet cover, and an internal chamber. A fiber assembly is disposed within the internal chamber and a potting material on the fiber assembly creates a circumferential seal that defines a passageway through the fiber assembly having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. A fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the passageway, has a lumen that extends along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the fiber assembly, and has an internal curvilinear surface adjacent the fiber assembly. A fluid outlet on the opposite side of the fiber assembly also has a lumen that extends along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the fiber assembly.

We claim: 
     
       1. A device for extracorporeal conditioning of blood, comprising:
 a conditioning module comprising an external frame, an inlet cover, a fluid inlet disposed on the inlet cover, an outlet cover, and a fluid outlet disposed on the outlet cover, the conditioning module defining an internal chamber and a passageway extending between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; 
 a first fiber assembly disposed within the internal chamber and having a first peripheral edge; 
 potting material disposed throughout the first peripheral edge to create a circumferential seal that defines a flow path through the first fiber assembly that has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, the flow path comprising a portion of the passageway; 
 the fluid inlet extending along a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first fiber assembly, the fluid inlet having an inlet lumen and an internal curvilinear surface, the inlet lumen in fluid communication with the flow path; and 
 the fluid outlet extending along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first fiber assembly, the fluid outlet having an outlet lumen in fluid communication with the flow path; 
 wherein the first axis extends through the potting material. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the curvilinear surface is a substantially partial spherical surface. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second axes are coplanar. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second axes are different axes. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid inlet has a first inlet end and a second inlet end positioned between the first inlet end and the first fiber assembly, the inlet lumen having a first internal inlet height perpendicular to the first axis at the first inlet end and a second internal inlet height perpendicular to the first axis at the second inlet end; and
 wherein the first and second internal inlet heights are different. 
 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the second internal inlet height is less than the first internal inlet height. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid outlet has a first outlet end and a second outlet end positioned between the first outlet end and the first fiber assembly, the outlet lumen having a first internal outlet height perpendicular to the second axis at the first outlet end and a second internal outlet height perpendicular to the second axis at the second outlet end; and
 wherein the first and second internal outlet heights are different. 
 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the second internal outlet height is greater than the first internal outlet height. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second fiber assembly disposed within the internal chamber and having a second peripheral edge; and
 wherein the potting material is further disposed throughout the second peripheral edge such that the circumferential seal defines the flow path through the first fiber assembly and the second fiber assembly. 
 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second fiber assemblies are in direct contact with each other. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second fiber assemblies are in direct contact with each other along the entire interface between the first and second fiber assemblies within the passageway. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 10 , wherein no structure is disposed between the first and second fiber assemblies within the passageway. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing defining a housing chamber; and
 wherein, the conditioning module is disposed within the housing chamber.